Cats Down Under are about to lose their nightlife privileges. In a bold move to protect native wildlife—and give local birds and lizards a bit of a break— the Melbourne City Council (in Australia) has voted to introduce a cat curfew. Coming into effect in October, pet cats will need to be kept indoors overnight between 8 pm and 6 am.
As reported by Radio New Zealand (RNZ),1 alongside this new rule, cats will also be banned from entering the city’s waterways and major parks at all times unless they’re on a leash and accompanied by their human. Yes, leash-walking cats is a thing. It’s a significant shift in pet policy and one that has stirred a mix of support, concern, and debate.
“Our parks, gardens and waterways are home to a wide range of wildlife species that are at risk from predation of roaming cats,” a Future Melbourne Committee review noted.2 “Cats prey on small animals, including native species, and are estimated to kill millions of mammals, birds and reptiles annually.”
It’s a hard statistic to ignore and speaks to a wider national conversation about the impact that cats (both domestic and feral) can have on biodiversity. Australia’s wildlife is uniquely vulnerable, with one of the highest rates of mammal extinction in the world when comparing places on the IUCN Red List. It’s a serious issue because unrestrained cats play a major role in that loss.
This cat curfew seems not only sensible but long overdue, and other cities, counties, and countries like New Zealand (where I live) may not be far behind in creating curfews of their own. Protecting vulnerable native species should be a priority in any urban planning effort, especially in a country where so much wildlife is found nowhere else on Earth.
Seeing Cat Parenthood Through a New Lens
Living in New Zealand, I’ve become far more understanding—and actively supportive—of measures to protect wildlife from cats. Before moving here, I didn’t fully grasp the extent of the impact that domestic cats can and do have on native species. Back home in Canada, it’s far easier to miss. The ecosystems are different, and the sheer scale of wilderness means the destruction caused by cats isn’t as visible, or at least not as urgent-feeling. Oftentimes, the roaming cats are the prey, and the wildlife are the predators.
But in New Zealand, the reality hits harder. You can actually see it—native birds like the kiwi bird and tui, or tiny skinks and geckos that have no natural defense against stealthy feline hunters. Many of these species evolved without land predators, making them especially vulnerable. Once you start noticing the signs—empty nests, dwindling numbers, and conservation efforts stretched to breaking point—it becomes much harder to justify letting pet cats roam freely.
I used to think outdoor cats were just part of life. They prowled the neighbourhood, climbed fences, maybe dropped the occasional mouse at the doorstep. But on this side of the planet, that behavior has a real cost—and it’s not just about wildlife. Nighttime is full of risks for our feline friends: cars, fights, and unkind humans, to name a few. Keeping cats inside overnight not only protects wildlife but also keeps cats themselves safer. Isn’t that what every pet parent wants?
Introducing a curfew might feel restrictive or even a bit dramatic to some, but I’ve come to see it as a compassionate step—for both the wildlife and the cats themselves. It’s a shift in mindset that’s not always easy, especially if you’ve grown up seeing things differently. But living in a country where the consequences are so visible and personal has changed the way I think about what it means to be a responsible cat parent.
On a lighter note, I can’t help but picture households across the city of Melbourne glancing at the clock around 7:59 pm, calling out, “Oi, Mittens! In. Now.” like parents waiting for their teenager to come home from a party. Will cats obey curfew like well-behaved high schoolers… or sneak out the bathroom window as soon as the lights go out?
Is a Nightly Cat Curfew Enough?
Even with the current plans for the curfew, not everyone is purring with approval. Councillor Andrew Rowse thinks the plan doesn’t go far enough.
“The cats that might be allowed to roam at night will eat and kill more mammals, and those that are allowed to wander during the day will encounter and naturally kill birds,” he said. “Day or night curfews only change the type of animal caught and killed, but not the overall kill rates.”
Some will argue that it’s natural for cats to roam, but in regions where felines are an introduced species with vulnerable wildlife, should they be considering a 24/7 indoor policy for cats? Is this overnight curfew a reasonable first step?
It’s also worth asking: Is freedom really better if it puts both the cat and the animals it meets in danger? Do humans owe it to their environment—and their cats—to rethink what responsible ownership looks like?
I wonder if the felines of Melbourne will rebel or be ready to fall in line. And most importantly, I wonder who’s got the best trick for getting their cat to come home on time, because come October, even the coolest cats in town will have a curfew.
Seeing Cat Parenthood Through a New Lens
